Criminal appeals make strange bedfellows

Conservative groups are joining with liberals in opposing what they see as government overreaching on crime. The anomalous unity is playing out in appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court, reports The New York Times.

The paper notes signs of an “emerging consensus on the right that the criminal justice system is an aspect of big government that must be contained.”

“In the area of criminal justice, the whole idea of less government, less intrusion, less regulation has taken hold,” said Norman Reimer, executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

3 comments

The NY Times article covered a new book “Three Felonies a Day”, that claims that Americans may commit crimes daily due to “overcriminalization”, and this means a prosecutor can indict anyone. Conservatives such as former AGs Meese & Thornburgh, the ACLU & Heritage agree. JJ Scalia & Thomas tend to agree. CJ Roberts and J Alito are more likely to side with the government though.